How to Keep Pancakes Fresh

By James Holloway

Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Whether you have a few pancakes left over after a big breakfast or you want to make a special meal in advance, keeping pancakes fresh is relatively simple. All you need to do is package the pancakes correctly and refrigerate or freeze them. Allow a little time to thaw and heat your pancakes before serving them.

Packaging Your Pancakes

Keeping pancakes fresh means keeping them covered and away from the air. Stack the pancakes, placing a layer of wax paper between each 'cake to prevent adhesion. Wrap your stack of pancakes in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight plastic bag or container. If you're using foil or a bag, try to leave as little air as possible in the wrapping.

Short-Term Solutions

If you're going to serve your pancakes within the next day or two, place them in the refrigerator. This allows you to take care of an attention-demanding task ahead of time, giving you the freedom to focus on scrambling your eggs, cooking your bacon or setting the table. Refrigerate the pancakes within two hours of cooking them. Your pancakes will stay fresh for one to two days; for the best result, use them the next day.

Keeping Pancakes Frozen

If you want to store pancakes for a later date, you can keep them frozen for a relatively long time. Let your pancakes cool, then wrap them tightly and store them in a freezer. They should last for one to two months. Even after this period, your pancakes will still be safe to eat, although they may begin to dry out and lose some of their texture and flavor.

Thawing and Reheating

To reheat refrigerated pancakes, either heat them in a microwave on medium power for two minutes or wrap them in foil and place them in an oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Thaw frozen pancakes overnight before heating them up; if you have to heat frozen pancakes, microwave them for one minute, then separate the stack. Turn the pancakes over and continue heating until the pancakes are hot all the way through.

References

About the Author

Dr James Holloway has been writing about games, geek culture and whisky since 1995. A former editor of "Archaeological Review from Cambridge," he has also written for Fortean Times, Fantasy Flight Games and The Unspeakable Oath. A graduate of Cambridge University, Holloway runs the blog Gonzo History Gaming.